Jenna Parr- Singing, songwriting, playing, and living for the Lord!
Interview conducted April 24, 2021
By Dan Locke
Jenna Parr is a rising Christian Rock artist creating music inspired by her faith and her love of 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s rock. Her unique style of rock music has landed her high in the Christian Rock charts with her breakout singles. “Made For This” reached the top 40 on the charts and is the title track of her 2020 album. “Break Me” reached a high of #11 on the national Christian Music Weekly (CMW) chart. It was #1 for 8 weeks straight and voted Song of the Year on ChristianRock.net. “Those Eyes” also reached #11 on CMW and was #1 on ChristianRock.net for 5 weeks straight. Jenna’s 2020 success continued with her rock cover of the Christmas song “Mary, Did You Know?” when it reached the top 30 on CMW as well. Along with generating a large radio presence, Jenna’s lyric and music videos accompanying these songs have gained tens of thousands of views on YouTube and FaceBook.
You are part of a musician family. How did you discover music?
Well like you just said, I’m part of a musical family. My parents both played a little piano when they were younger, and my two older brothers both sing and play multiple instruments. So, I guess you could say it was born into me. I’ve loved listening to music and singing for as long as I can remember.
How did you start to write music?
When I was around 15, I decided that I really wanted to pursue a music career. Luckily, the lead singer of the Christian rock band We Are Vessel lived in my town, so I met with him, and he helped me start writing and recording my own music.
Describe your music.
I would describe my music as hard rock with a flare of 70s/80s rock.
Artist like Elvis, Jennifer Hudson and Katy Perry started their career in Church. It looks like you are in good company. What was your first performance like?
To be honest, I don’t fully remember. I’ve been singing in church for as long as I can remember, but I’m sure it was very awkward.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
Yes. I am part of the ASCAP.
What makes a good songwriter?
To be completely honest, I’m still trying to figure that out myself. So far, I’ve learned that being self-motivated to write and being organized with your song ideas are essential to me.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
The title of my first original song is “God’s Got This” and yes I did record it. It was actually the title track to my first EP I ever released.
“Those Eyes” reached #1 on ChristianRock.net. How was it to see you made number one?
My single “Break Me” was actually the first song of mine to go #1, and it was surreal. So, seeing another one of my songs also go #1 shortly after was even more crazy. It was amazing to see that a young girl from a tiny town in Georgia could go #1 so quickly.
What is the process of writing your music?
Anytime I think of a theme, melody, catchy hook, or overall idea, I write it down or record myself singing it on my phone. Then, I get with my writing partner, and we go through all of the ideas and put the bits and pieces into a song. After I have some solid song ideas or demos, I’ll take them to a producer and get them recorded.
Tell me about the song “The Runaway”?
One day while reading the book of Hosea, I was inspired to write the song “The Runaway”. I realized how much we can relate to that story, even in today’s time. Just like Hosea’s wife, Gomer, we try to run away from God sometimes. We make our own plans, and we think we know what’s best. Luckily, God is like Hosea, and He always comes after us. In fact, He never even left us in the first place. No matter how often we try to run away from God, He is always right there with us, and He never gives up on us.
What is your favorite track on your album?
“The Runaway” is my favorite track on the album. It’s the song I connect with the most personally.
How has your music changed over the years?
When I first started writing music, it was Christian contemporary. My first EP “God’s Got This” is contemporary, but shortly after releasing it, I decided that I wanted to transition to rock because it’s always been my favorite genre of music.
How do you stay healthy while performing?
An interesting fact about me is that my parents are personal trainers and former gym owners, so exercising is in my blood. I try to exercise at least 5 days a week, and I eat decently healthy and try to drink plenty of water.
What are your feelings about streaming music?
I think that streaming is essential to any artist nowadays, especially during 2020. It keeps some artists afloat when they can’t perform live.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Can I say both? Digital is what most people use in today’s age, I included. I love the fact that if I have my phone, then I have all the music in the world. But at the same time, I would love to have a vintage vinyl collection.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
The song “Faithfully” by Journey is an all time favorite of mine. They wrote the song about being a married musician on tour. I relate to this song because my boyfriend and I are both musicians and have to be on tour apart from each other sometimes.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
If you would’ve asked me this a year ago, I would’ve said maybe, but now I fully believe that it won’t. Live music has been around for hundreds of years and lived through many pandemics, so I don’t think it’s going anywhere.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
I’ve worked on some new music, spent time with my family, and did a lot of home workouts. I also got a puppy for Christmas, so I’ve done a lot of training with him.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I absolutely love cooking and baking, so quarantine gave me more time to experiment in the kitchen.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will includes [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
I think a lot of musicians will leave Facebook and use other platforms for their livestreams.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
Livestreams are definitely the way to go. Fans can still watch you perform live, and you can promote your merch.
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
Yes it is still a thing. Some artists pay to be added to tours. Also, some streaming platforms like Spotify allow you to pay playlist creators to add your music to their playlists.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
I think that would be so cool. With our technology nowadays, I have no doubt that it could exist in the future.
Would you like your music to become mainstream like other Christian artists- JP Cooper, Justin Bieber, Kendrick Lamar,k TobyMac, Lauren Daigle, Flyleaf, Skillet, Switch Foot, Amy Grant, Jessica Simpson and Aretha Franklin.
Absolutely, but I also just love playing music, even if it’s for 10 people.
Governments around the world are hearing the call of thousands of music creators and included protections for the music community in the omnibus bill. In addition to extended and improved unemployment benefits and small business loans for freelance creators, the package includes several bills which the Recording Academy, its members, and the larger music community advocated for. From the Save Our Stages Act, provided a lifeline to performance venues and promoters, to the CASE Act, which creates an avenue for smaller creators to defend their copyrighted works, Congress has ensured that both music creators and those who act behind the scenes to bring music to life are given the support they need during this difficult time.” Do you think this will save music venues?
I’m not super educated on these bills, but I think that any little support will help. Like I said before, music has been around for hundreds of years. Venues now may struggle or even close, but I fully believe that they will make a comeback.
MusiCares COVID-19 Relief has helped thousands of music industry artists and professionals during these difficult days. This is the most recipients helped, for any single event, in MusiCares’ history. The need remains great, and these unique times remain critical for music people. It has taken a community uplifting one another to get through this pandemic, and MusiCares has pulled together a list of additional organizations and resources to further support you. https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/relief-resources. Have you applied for it yet?
No. I haven’t needed to.
In the past if a musician stop doing music they find a new career. For example David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants.. If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
I have loved fashion almost as long as I’ve loved music. If I wasn’t a musician, I could see me working in the fashion industry or owning a clothing store.
What is your happy place?
My happy place is walking on the beach with my boyfriend and our dog.
Alot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year. Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million. Once you get to the age of about 70. Publishing is far more lucrative then the mechanical royalties paid to artist based on sales, airplay and streams. A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985. And in the late 80’s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.
The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax friendly concerning estate planning.
Do you think you would be willing to sale your back catalog if someone like Universal is willing to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs?
Probably not. I prefer to own all of my music.
Sony Music in November and Warner Music Group in December, The ByteDance-owned video app revealed on (February 8) that it has struck an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?
I’m personally not a fan of TikTok, but I would be ok with my music being on it.
You just performed at Sound for the Crown a couple of days ago. Was there social distance during the show?
There wasn’t much. Anyone was more than welcome to wear a mask if they wanted to, but this festival was just like the good old days, and I very much appreciated it. We had a blast.
The British government, buoyed by early good news on a brisk roll-out of vaccinations in the UK, set out a roadmap that, as things stand, would see the re-opening of large music events in the UK, with no audience limit, on June 21.Live Nation and its subsidiary, Festival Republic, didn’t hang about after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made this announcement on Monday (February 22).
The companies quickly announced that their Reading & Leeds festival – an annual fest taking place across two locations in the UK with a combined capacity of around 180,000 – would be going ahead between August 27 and 29 this year, and that tickets were on sale.
With this announcement Live Nation; USA wants to following the lead of Live Nation:UK. If this happen and live concert start happening this summer would you be up to playing live shows again and under want precautions would you like to have in place?
I’ve actually already had a few shows, so my answer is yes, absolutely. I’m perfectly fine playing shows just like they were two years ago.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Thank you so much for the interview! If anyone wants to check me out, I’m on Spotify, Apple Music, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. I also have a website, jennaparr.com. I’m currently working on my next album, so keep an eye out for some updates!
